Recent Comments

His wife has already said that she plans to sue if the NBA forces her to sell...

Blanquita

10 months

Ok, everyone! Calm down. Have we all made mistakes before? I say FORGIVE HIM AND MOVE ON....

theguybehindtheguybehindtheguy

10 months

NBA is guilty here in a big way. It's THEIR organization. They created this behemoth that rewards...

PREVIOUSLY:Barbara Walters landed the girlfriend and the wife involved in the hottest story right now, but CNN’s Anderson Cooper scored the sit-down today with the big fish – disgraced LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling, who was caught last month making racist comments about African-Americans and hoops icon Magic Johnson in a 2013 tape. He was subsequently banned for life from the NBA and fined $2.5M. Sunday’s news battle pitted Sterling vs. Sterling as CNN and ABC News vied to take the lead on the hottest story of the moment.

“I’m a good member who made a mistake and I’m apologizing and I’m asking for forgiveness,” Sterling told Cooper Sunday in LA in a CNN interview to air tomorrow. “Am I entitled to one mistake, am I after 35 years? I mean, I love my league, I love my partners. Am I entitled to one mistake? It’s a terrible mistake, and I’ll never do it again.” The Anderson Cooper 360 interview is set to air Monday night at 8PM ET.

Duking it out with CNN, ABC News and Walters spent Sunday getting the dirt from Sterling’s wife and Clippers co-owner Shelly Sterling. She told Walters that “eventually, I am going to” divorce her husband and will fight to keep her 50% stake in the team. Earlier this month Walters, on the eve of retirement, landed the exclusive chat with V. Stiviano, the former Sterling flame involved in the controversial conversation that was leaked to the press in April.

38 Comments

SallyinChicago • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

I am a person of color and no, they should not sell. And the NBA shouldn’t force them to sell. Take it to court.

JaySmack • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

So, an anonymous poster on an internet board says. “I’m a person of color,” and then speaks in defense of an unabashaed racist.
And that’s supposed to have credibility how?
You Stormfront trolls really gotta learn to try harder.

Echhhh • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

That person comments all the time all over the internet and is not a troll, so back it up you self-righteous overbearing hypocrite. Pressing the “racism” button is not going to work for you forever.

Don't forget... • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

People forget, it’s about more than just his recent comments. The other NBA owners don’t like this guy. His franchise has been the laughingstock of the league for nearly its entire existence and he has taken tens of millions from the other owners because of the shared revenue. He’s a leach and doesn’t care. History is your proof. They are good now… but he managed to royally screw that up too, didn’t he? And how was quick was the league to toss him out? They waited about 24 hours.

Alex • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

Did you miss the part where Sterling was found guilty of discriminating against black and Latino people who rented from him? Sterling not only said racist things but discriminated against minorities in his business ventures.

rh • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

He wasn’t found guilty. He settled a civil case.

Again, Barbara? • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

With the joke that Walters’ interview was with Sterling, this feels like it’ll be more of the same. – “Missed/Lack of follow ups that any Journalism 101 student knows.”

I’m surprised after the first debacle that ABC allowed Walters a second chance at this.

Hopefully I’m proven wrong but based off of this sampling,it doesn’t look to be the case.

Pansy as distrct attorney • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

The NBA disgraced themselves and the constitution and a business partner. When the heck is the district attorney in LA going to go after tmz,the media mafia, the NBA for committing the crime with malice and intent

Well said • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

Right on. Well said.

just saying • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

Agreed. Lebron James went as far as to say that no member of the Sterling family should be allowed near the Clippers. Stereotyping a group of people based on one person’s mistake, that’s always a good direction to go.

JaySmack • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

Yeah! The D.A. should step in! And force a private business to keep a racist on the payroll.

Jesus, what color is the sky in StormFront Land anyway?

PJ • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

Watch your mouth, troll.

You are practicing religious discrimination with your religious slur.

If we are ruining people for what they say now, and your comment was made publicly, then the Church should publicly ruin you and take away your assets (if you had any.)

Nick • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

The Constitution does not require that the NBA do anything with regard to Stern (Just like it didn’t require HGTV to continue the series with the right-wing brothers who would offend half of their audience and just like it didn’t require A&E to do anything with the “Duck Dynasty” dude.)

The Constitution requires that the government not interfere or impede the right of a citizen to speak out on their sincerely held beliefs. If he’s a huge black eye for the image of a business like the NBA, they have every right to take action. And I’d bet that it’s in his ownership contract that they can.

Also, in his interview, he actually said “the blacks”….so clearly he has learned so much from all of this.

average Joe • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

I am a white , adult male. I am not a racist. I laugh at all these stories where a @$$hole gets caught, they make him apologize, and all is forgiven. I don’t buy it for one minute and all these journalists that force this crap are just as bad as Sterling. The guy is not sorry. He is sorry cause he got caught (or set up to get caught) and now it will cost him a lot of money. FLIck him !

No One of Consequence • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

Sterling has a lot of nerve (or amnesia) saying this is is his “one mistake” in 35 years. Even if you completely ignore the various lawsuits that paint Sterling as a racist slumlord (and incidentally, show his wife to be an active participant in his transgressions), Sterling has been accused of racial bias by his former long-term GM and even tried to negate a recent trade for a player based on racial reasons (he felt the players contract was too expensive for a white player). I know they are accusations only, but where there is enough smoke, there is usually fire.

You have to ask yourself why the NBA was able to make such a big decision so quickly about Sterling? People have known for years that Sterling is a racist and could be a huge liability for the league but they couldn’t ever do anything about it. This latest incident gave them the smoking gun the league has been looking for.

Matt • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

What is the league players refuse to play next season until the people that “own them” leave the league ? Cause that’s what’s up.

Pat Brown • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

his wife has heard him say what was on that tape and a whole lot more, and she has said a lot too, but bottom line is that I don’t care what either of them says in private and I can not understand why anyone else cares either!

GetOverIt • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

Am I the only one that thinks this thing is blown way out of proportion and actually a bit unfair toward sterling? How does anyone get off condemning someone for having particular “feelings” in private? I know there are accounts of him being “racist” previously, but in this particular situation, he was speaking his desires in an extremely private conversation, and never at any time directly insulted or criticized anyone other than V. If you really listen to what he’s saying he’s saying he doesn’t like dealing with backlash from people based upon his warped and dated view on society. The way he has run his team, the people he employs, the equality in hiring practices… All on the up and up.

Wouldn’t you rather him have these bigoted opinions inside his heart in private but attempt to run his team the way he “should”? I mean, what more do you want from someone? For a racist (if he is one), he’s kind of one of the better racists isn’t he? I didn’t once hear his use a derogatory term or incite ill will or hatred even when having a passionate conversation about the subject in the privacy of his own home.

That probably better than most of the players in the league do.

JaySmack • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

“Am I the only one that thinks this thing is blown way out of proportion and actually a bit unfair toward sterling?”

Yes, you are.

Blanquita • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

Ok, everyone! Calm down. Have we all made mistakes before? I say FORGIVE HIM AND MOVE ON. CNN, YOU TOO! The NBA has given Mr. Sterling a ban for LIFE! Really, does anyone believe that the punishment didn’t fit the crime? He said “Don’t bring black people to my game!…So for a few uttered words he is banned for LIFE? Did anyone hear him say “I love all people!” I am not a racist” Did anyone listen to how he was baited? People can have opinions that are perpetuated by society but can actually believe the opposite.
I feel wholeheartedly that Society at this point is not being fair. I have heard many Black people degrade White people. Has anyone heard some of the rap music THAT degradE White people in every sense of the word.
Has anyone heard George Lopez at his concerts (In San Antonio), saying “He didn’t believe in mixed couples, everyone should stick to their own …” My son and I were so hurt, because my husband is black. No-one came down on him! Really Society?
And what about Eddie Murphy (April 2014)? I heard him on Sirus Radio-(Jaime Fox station) rant and rave about Gay people. It was disgusting and despicable. I couldn’t believe how Sirus would allow that. My heart broke because I have 2 cousins that are Gay. Further, listen to see how Black comedians degrade White society, its horrific.
Lets be compassionate and lets forgive Mr. Sterling, CNN focus on something else now, you have milked this to the end. Look at the good he has done, My family has forgiven him, my Black husband has forgiven him.
“To err is human, to forgive is divine. All people commit sins and make mistakes. God forgives them and people are acting in a godlike (DEVINE) way when they FORGIVE.” Alexander Pople

Ertsco • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

No, you’re not the only one. The media is doing its best to fan this fake controversy but the public knows the score.

matt • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

I was also thinking recently that there has to be a sizable proportion of those working in the NBA who have views similar to Sterling’s. While I don’t think his comments are excusable, I do think it’s unfair that he gets all of the scorn when others who also hold racist views are allowed to thrive simply because they didn’t have their private conversations recorded.

Donald T. Sterling • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

I really have nothing to apologize for but my PR spin team told me to sit down with Anderson and pretend to be sorry. I don’t want to be forced to sell my team and you can’t make me. I will sue the NBA and tie them up in court for years. If I die still owning the team my wife will inherit all of it and they can’t make her sell it either she already owns 50% of the team so now that I’ve done my public relations TV apology I want everyone to stop bothering me and stop taping my phone calls. It’s against the law to tape a phone call if the person talking isn’t aware he’s being recorded. But nobody will be prosecuted for what they did to me. Apparently the law doesn’t apply to me.

PW • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

It’s not about “mistakes” but character (how exactly can you mistakenly racist?). The man is a despicable human being.

TOM • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

You’re forgiven, now let’s move onward America.

Criminal jaysmack • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

@jaysmack ; the jaysmack comments are sent from his prison cell.

Jim • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

If you have no issue with his opinions, let him keep the team. Then let all the Clippers players become free agents and let’s see who re-signs with them.

The billion dollars + that the Clippers are worth now will be a memory.

Cash out now, take your money and disappear.

Thomas • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

Quotes from the interview, just in case you are still on the fence about Donald Sterling:

In the interview with Anderson Cooper that aired Monday night on CNN, Sterling said Magic Johnson is not “a good example for the children of Los Angeles. He’s got AIDS… Is this someone we want to respect and tell our kids about? I think he should be ashamed of himself.”

look • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

look, if you’re against the guy, no need to worry about the nba or whoever letting him off easy. the wife is about to fuck him, but good.

Seriously?!? • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

Sterling is clearly an ignorant racist with no filter. Did you guys watch the video or hear the tape that started the controversy at all? He almost says something racist in the video… he had to stop himself!!! I think the whole thing is a little blown out of proportion by the media in terms of coverage, but do you really think a guy who has clearly expressed he wants no association with minorities should own a team of predominately minorities coached buy a black man? Some of these comments make you guys sound like idiots, how could you possibly DEFEND him?! Im honestly confused by the ignorance of some of these comments. Hes clearly a racist and doesnt deserve to own the team. If you feel otherwise, youre clearly wrong.

sr • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

I don’t think people should lose property-the team-over comments.

Anonymous • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

He’s 80 years old he’s a relic from a bygone era he thinks it’s still the 1950’s and he doesn’t understand contemporary society. The onlyl way to get rid of him is for the NBA to take over control of the team and bring in Magic Johnson as general manager. Let Sterling file a lawsuit but in the meantime the League and Staples Center can keep all the money they just won’t give Sterling any more income from the games or the TV rights.

The NBA has to do something so drastic that they force Sterling to file a lawsuit then let it work its way through the courts. He probably won’t live long enough for it to go to trial and in the meantime the League governs the team as temporary owner. Just getting 75% of the owners to vote in favor of forcing him to sell won’t do the trick. They have to actually assume ownership of the Clippers then let Magic supervise the day to day running of the team with the current coach Doc Rivers.

Susan • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

His wife has already said that she plans to sue if the NBA forces her to sell her share of the team. Her lawyer said that he plans to put the owners and their employees under oath during discovery to find out if any of them have behaved like Sterling, and if so, to find out what action the NBA took, if any. The lawyer also said that he would subpoena all NBA records.

Do you think the owners are going to vote to put themselves under oath when their depositions will probably be filmed and released online? Not likely. And during discovery, lawyers have wide latitude to ask questions that might not even be part of the case.

That happened to Paula Deen. Her deposition from a case that was thrown out because it lacked merit was released, and she lost her show.

It will be interesting to see how the NBA resolves this because the fans do not seem to understand the law.

B • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

Sterling and his wife are not being tried in a court of law so the whole being illegally taped goes out the window. He is part of a league that has certain laws and that league has the power to kick him out if they certain NBA laws are broken. They can force sterling’s wife to sell because the NBA MUST approve a change of ownership and there is no way they are going to allow her to own the team.

So, why is there NO MENTION of the insane and intolerant rambling Donald Sterling made about Magic Johnson in that interview?

Seriously, Deadline… what exactly are you reporting on here?

Also, softball Anderson Cooper makes no mention of Sterling’s own history with discrimination lawsuits surrounding his real estate practices or the history he had with Elgin Baylor suing him for discrimination and wrongful termination?

It’s like the phone messages were the only part of the story, when clearly Sterling’s legacy of discrimination and intolerance only reinforces what an absolute liability he is to the NBA and American Businesses.

I’m really sick of racist America. I understand maybe a few people don’t know what the laws are, or that the 1st amendment doesn’t apply. Many more may not know how much discrimination they’ve been found guilty of. Maybe a lot of people are ignorant to the amount of impact society suffers from discrimination in the way Donald and Shelly Sterling have. I’m all for second chances, but with their lying, and how many events they have been a part of, they’ve never paid for anything. Then, everyone wants to feel sorry for him cause he has to make a billion dollars. No one says a word about the single mom losing her job jor a facebook post, or the like. Yet they stand up for these billionaires like they are ever losing anything real. They are only losing a piece of the influence they have, that they have abused time and time again. These actions are both morally and legally justified, and I don’t see how anyone can defend them on either grounds, once you actually know the laws and the whole story. So, do I assume that there are that many racists out there that defend him cause they are racists? Or just that many people who are ignorant?

MARK GEORGEFF • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

CNN needs ratings that bad to put RACIST STERLING on the air?
What the hell happened to COOPER’s credibility as a journalist?

Oh…I forgot…it’s today’s media.

theguybehindtheguybehindtheguy • on May 12, 2014 6:45 pm

NBA is guilty here in a big way. It’s THEIR organization. They created this behemoth that rewards rich white businessmen by choosing those to give the keys to their exclusive club. If they cared, they’d have a better grasp of Ethics and Morals in their constitution. But they don’t–and neither do most other pro sports. It’s a business and the players are a commodity.